The Fifth Annual Asian Youth Forum Kicks Off in Japan

The forum brings young people together to develop ideas and solutions to help drive growth and prosperity in the region.

Youth delegates and staff from Plan International at the 5th Annual Asian Youth Forum

More than 150 youth from the Asia-Pacific region are convening in Yokohama, Japan, this week to discuss youth-led solutions to drive inclusive and sustainable prosperity in Asia and the Pacific as part of the Asian Development Bank's 5th Annual Asian Youth Forum.

More than 30 Plan International youth delegates representing 8 countries from the region will take part in discussions and workshops and engage with key stakeholders and other youth from the region to reinforce the critical role of young people in bringing sustainable change.

Young people have a role to play in economic development and we work to make their voices heard

"Plan International believes that young people have a role to play in economic development and we work to make their voices heard. We’re here at the Asian Development Bank to make the case that economic development for the future must have younger people at its core," said Tanya Barron, CEO of Plan International UK, and a keynote speaker at the forum.

These meetings will be critical as youth will meet with key stakeholders to raise their voice and demonstrate why meaningful engagement and participation is critical for growth and prosperity in the region, as well as the realisation of the sustainable development goals.

I am excited to meet other youth who are developing solutions to the problems we are facing

"I am very excited to meet other youth who are working hard to develop solutions to the problems young people are facing, especially issues faced by those at the grassroots level and those who are less fortunate," said Val from the Philippines, and a team leader at the Asian Youth Forum.

"The Asian Youth Forum is a tangible example of how young people are helping children to learn, lead, decide and thrive. Through their endeavours, ADB's Youth for Asia team is building the skills of young people so that they can motivate their communities to realise and bring positive change on behalf of boys and girls in Asia," said John Trew, Head of Youth Employment Solutions for Plan International in Asia.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Asian Youth Forum continues this week!

Editor's notes

About ADB YOUTH FOR ASIA (YfA)

Youth for Asia is an initiative of the ADB NGO and Civil Society Center that aims to empower Asia Pacific youth as development partners by increasing their participation in ADB operations. YfA facilitates youth engagement with governments and other key stakeholders to increase opportunities for youth to actively participate in the design, implementation and monitoring of innovative development solutions.

Plan International has been supporting the Asian Youth Forum since its partnership with ADB began in 2012, and has been working with YfA to empower youth partners in the development of Asia and Pacific.